"Uh Ootori, no offense but i thought you were going to take a taxi home."

I spoke from behind Kyoya, keeping my eyes firmly fixed on anything but him and trying to ignore the fact that i was wandering around by myself with the guy i may have a teeny, tiny crush on.

Ah screw it who am i kidding i really like him. Apathetic, and scheming attitudes included.

"Well, I'm already here, so I might as well look around a little first."

I sighed, and made a face at him behind his back.

We had finished up lunch in relative silence after he'd stopped talking, and I had been willing to pay for a cab for him, but he had changed his mind at the last moment, and decided instead to accompany me. As he put it, 'I would only get into trouble otherwise'.

Of course, I had told him to stop being a doubter, and stuck my tongue out at him, expecting an instant calculated reply back. However, when no reply had come, i had cracked open an eye only to find none other than Kyoya Ootori staring down at me with a look of mild confusion, and something else, in his eyes.

He had proceeded to mentally shake himself and had turned around without a word to walk through the aisles of the store. That's how we had ended up here.

"You know," I looked off to the side as i spoke and hurried to walk up next to him, "I really don't know much about you and your family."

I left it an unasked question, because i knew asking him straight forward would most likely make him not respond.

"There's really nothing especially there for you to know about my family."

"Well that kind of seems unfair doesn't it?"

I stared up at him attempting my best version of Tamaki's puppy eyes.

"Unfair?"

He stopped walking and turned to look down at me in mild surprise as if the thought hadn't occurred to him before.

"Well, yeah?" I furrowed my eyebrows slightly as i met his gray eyes with my own. "After all Mr Shadow King, you know everything about my family. Hell, you know all of my dad's risky business and former acquaintances better than I do probably." I glanced to the side before shyly looking up at him from underneath my eyelashes. "It just seems kind of unfair."

"That's an intriguing notion in it's own way."

I snorted. An intriguing notion? What's with this guy? Choosing to not express that thought so he wouldn't have an opportunity to change the subject, i forged on ahead.

"You have two older brothers right Ootori? What kind of people are they?"

Don't say they're like you….

However, Kyoya didn't say that at all. He tipped his head back until his glasses caught on a flash, and disappeared into some sort of memory. From the annoyed twist of his lips, and the slight furrow in his brow it was easy to tell it wasn't a pleasant one. A sadness seemed to sweep across his face for a moment and i braced myself for his anger.

However, for the first time, he surprised me. Turning to look down at me with a soft smile that made his harsh features soften considerably, he spoke in a soft voice.

"They are exceptional men. Enough so, that they meet father's expectations without any trouble. And so, even more so than his third son."

He turned away from me, his hands on his hips as he again seemed to become lost in a memory. I found my heart melting a little, and gently reaching out to tug on the sleeve of is shirt to grab his attention I parried his words in the same soft voice.

"So things really are hard for you huh?"

"You think so?" His soft voice disappeared and he shook off my grip on him as he turned around with a sly smile on his face. "I can't think of any game more fun than this."

So saying, the sly, wicked widened marginally and he turned away to keep walking.

My jaw dropped and i let out a huff as i stared at his retreating back.

That boy.

My own lips twisted into a sad lopsided smile as i whispered to myself,

"You say that you can't think of any game more fun Ootori, but how can you say this when this is the only game you've ever played?"

*W*W*W*W*W*W*W*

We were walking some more through another level of the mall as we slowly made our way to the top of the building to meet the other hosts who were waiting for us, when we had a rather interesting altercation.

I was bending over to admire a beautifully hand painted flower vase on a stand next to a stand full of pretty looking, painted bowls, when someone brushed by me from behind, and copped a feel while they were at it.

I spun so suddenly i almost knocked over the vase behind me, barely catching it in time with the thought of how Haruhi had gotten herself into her own mess through a broken vase.

No need to relive that mistake twice.

However, in my saving the vase i didn't manage to get a good look at the person who had so rudely touched my body, and anger churched through me at that. I was still fixing the position of the vase, when a hand touched my shoulder. With a growl i spun around and caught the hand wrenching it off of my body with a hiss and narrowed eyes.

"Miss Fuyumi?"

I jolted in surprise when i realized the owner of the hand i was currently trying to crush, was none other than Kyoya.

"Oh uh, hey Ootori."

His dark eyes flicked down to our hands and he raised an eyebrow.

"Care to explain?"

Blushing fire engine red, i dropped his hand and looked away with another grimace.

"Some perv copped a feel while i wasn't looking and then disappeared." His eyes darkened with anger, and he dropped a protective hand on my shoulder. I yelped in surprise when he pulled me closer as he looked around us both with his glasses flashing. "I think he's gone, it's ok he didn't hurt me."

His arm relaxed on my shoulder slightly, and his head dropped from its tilt which caused his glasses to stop flashing, but his dark eyes roamed the area around us as if he could pick out the offender just like that. I sighed, and joined him in glancing around because deep down inside i kind of wanted to find the jerk and see what Kyoya would do. However, i was startled by the giggles of several passing girls, and flicking my green eyes towards them, i found them pointing and whispering at Kyoya and I.

Why are they-OH!

I all but leapt from under the boy's arm as i found myself blushing for the umpteenth time since that morning. He didn't seem to notice my not so subtle leap away from him though, because his eyes were trained on an old woman standing several feet away from us fawning over some fancy looking pottery as a slimy salesman tried to charm her into buying them at his over the top prices.

The woman seemed to be caving, and her dark eyes seemed to soften every time she stared at the dark blue piece of pottery, i noticed Kyoya's body stiffen ever so slightly, before he stepped forward with a kind smile and soft eyes to the old woman's side.

"These are fakes madam."

"W-what did you just say? Stop messing around! You're a kid!"
He so did not just say that…

I strode forward, opening my mouth to defend my friend, when he picked up the pretty blue bowl with his narrowed eyes directly looking at the shop owner in open challenge.

"It's true, the way the blue comes out here is very similar to Shoin's work, but an authentic piece would have a darker gradation around the base, and this lacquer is too clear."

His eyes had softened as he spoke, and his gaze was now on the pottery in his hand.

All but snarling with rage, the slimy looking shopkeeper glared at Kyoya.

"I'm going to report you for obstructing my business! What school do you go to you delinquent?!"

The scene had gathered a small crowd of gaping people as they watched it unfold in front of them. Kyoya calmly ignored them and the shopkeepers words as he turned the bowl over in his hands, his eyes narrowing at something he saw on it.

"Ah, I knew it. One of the strokes on the bottom on the seal is off. If this is authentic there should be certificate. Shall we do a handwriting analysis on it?"

He turned his dark eyes on the man behind the table, and there was a dark, deadly charm in them that had the man shaking in some form of fear. For the first time, i realized just how perfectly Kyoya balanced Tamaki. Whereas Tamaki was the prince of light and cheer and all things golden, ironic yes, Kyoya was just as charming in a far darker and sly way. I shuddered to think of how stunning he would be if he turned his charm on full power like Tamaki did on a daily basis.

I so never want to see that.

"I-I left it back in my shop t-today."

Yep, the shopkeeper was most definitely trembling now. More anger caused by fear bubbling up in his eyes as he stared at the crowd gathering in front of his shop. Kyoya's eyes narrowed and he smiled a snake like smile.

"Ah, in that case my family has had dealings with the Komatsu family going way back, so I could contact them right now and have them verify these. Would that be alright?"

The shopkeeper bolted.

Only to be caught in the arms of several mall security officers and led out of the building. The crowd started whispering, the old woman was bowing to Kyoya, he was standing there looking almost awkward as he waved off her praise, and I was standing a little behind it all, slack jawed as i stared at him.

Helping people benefits you doesn't it Ootori.

As if reading my thoughts, a few moments later when we escaped it all, he turned to me and answered my mental query.

"Ah didn't you know, that woman is the wife of the chairman of a major electronics maker. This is my first time meeting her as well," We both glanced back at the smiling, bashful woman standing a few feet away talking to a man in a suit, "but i can tell by looking at the ring on her left hand. It's a company that my family has a lot of dealings with."

My eyebrow twitched as i gaped at her, and then him.

All of that by a ring!?

He sighed, and reaching over with his hand pushed my jaw shut as i continued gaping.

"I would suggest keeping that shut. As you say your cousin Maddy says, you're prone to catch flies, and she's about to come over here so i'd prefer you didn't embarrass me or yourself."

I snapped my mouth shut and glared at him out of the corner of my eyes before pasting a smile on my face when his prediction came correct.

Asshole

"Imagine running into one of the Ootori family boys here. Are you out incognito too? The next chance I get, I'll be certain to take advantage of your family's resort facilities."

"I'm honored."

And the cocky jerk bowed with a smile on his face and respect in his eyes to the sweet grandmotherly woman.

I'm going to stab him with the next sharp object I find. Hello earth to the Ootori spawn, I'M RIGHT BLOODY HERE TOO! Of course, he can only act like the perfect, wonderful child he is for his 'game'.

I glanced at him as he stood there in quiet conversation with the woman as if i wasn't even there.

Does he even care? But wait, earlier...he wanted to help, even i could tell...so that means…

"Oy Nala," I was jerked out of my thoughts as his voice called me over, and with a blush i realized i had zoned out completely and missed the woman leaving, "Are melons really this popular among candy makers?"

"Huh?"

"I don't get this," Aw he talks to himself! "Intentionally giving a corn snack melon flavoring, even when it's not actually a melon, just seems disconsistent doesn't it?"

I couldn't help it, I lost it. I doubled over giggling, feeling my face growing warm and hearing the hiccuping sound i made deep in my chest as i giggled at him. He turned in confusion, his dark eyes curious as he stared down at me.

"That's an intriguing notion in it's own way." I managed to hold back the giggling for a minute to speak.

"Did i say something funny?"

I snorted and began to laugh in earnest at that.

"No it's just earlier you said there was no similarity between you and Tamaki, yet that sounded exactly like something the blond haired baka would say."

His eyes grew big and his lips formed a little 'o' at that, before one of his rare, real smiles broke out as he looked down at me almost fondly.

"I see. That definitely does seem like something Tamaki, or the twins would be thrilled over. All right, I'll buy them. Nala, your wallet."

I rolled my eyes at him, still snickering to myself yet sticking my tongue out in annoyance.

"You know Kyoya, it's customary for the guy to pay on the first date."

I was rummaging through my wallet, so i almost missed how he dropped the package of sweets as he gaped at me.

"What? Is there something on my face?" He just continued to stare at me in shock. "What?"

It was my turn to look at him in confusion.

"Nothing."

He took the money from me and turned away to pay, I was about to question him on it, when there was a joyous shout and out of nowhere the twins swooped down on me. Grabbing Kyoya and I, they tugged us up to the rooftop with them, rambling about how long it was taking me to get the shadow lord, and how i needed to see this and that. I laughed merrily, when we emerged on the roof to see Tamaki rolling around on the floor, while Mori stared in silent shock at him and Honey ate ice cream cone, after ice cream cone, after ice cream cone.

Suddenly, there was smoke everywhere, scented smoke of some sort I might add, and Renge's voice drifted over the audience from the play taking place.

"Tama-chan! Something's about to start!"

Honey's voice tugged him and the other hosts up to the stage where a dramatic play was being enacted.

"Why is Renge -kun up there.."

Tamaki stared in horror as she strutted around the stage talking about summer homework.

"Seems like recently...she's been spreading out more and more."

The twins synced voices were doubly scared as they stared up at the self proclaimed host club manager. However, suddenly, something happened on stage and there was a ninja prancing around looking like he had ants in his pants, and Honey was asking for Kyoya.

"Aaalllrrriigghhtt. Let's go guys, i'm cutting you off i have a feeling we don't want to see where this play goes, and losing the Ootori child once was enough for me today thank you very much."

"Awwwwww."

The hosts in sync whines made me smile, but it turned deadly as i smirked at them and told them i was sure Renge would be happy to reenact it for them.

The shudders of fear i received made me snicker, so with that happy thought, I turned on my heel with them following suit. However, as i walked away, I heard Honey say,

"She's a lot more like Kyo-chan than she realizes."

Followed by grunts of affirmation from the others.

Kyo-chan huh? Honey's affectionate terms always made me smile. Maybe i should take up calling him….holy Kyoya was so shocked…. I stopped dead in my tracks as it hit me. Today is the first day i've ever called Ootori by his name.

And as we found him on the other side of the roof, and on the car ride home, i mulled over that thought in my head. Completely oblivious to the looks the dark haired fortune teller was shooting my way every now and then.

**Author's note**

Hello everyone! And this concludes Kyoya's reluctant day out! How was it? I tried to add some adorable fluffiness, so did you guys like it? I'm so sorry for the slow updating, but i've finished this up and CHEERS FOR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! Did any of you guys pick up on that little tidbit about his name? It's kind of part of my headcanon, but you guys will find out all about that later. I hope you enjoyed!

Shoutout to those of you who reviewed the last chapter, I don't have time to check the names right now but you guys are the best! Thanks a ton for following my story, I'm glad you consider it worth your time!